According to projections from the American Automobile Association (AAA), an estimated 81.8 million Americans are set to embark on journeys spanning at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1. This marks an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to the previous year, setting a new record for domestic travel during this time. Thanksgiving is recognized as the peak travel holiday when compared to other notable holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day.
Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, remarks, “Thanksgiving travel statistics are consistently remarkable due to this holiday’s association with reuniting with family and friends.” Travelers are often willing to face crowded settings and modify their plans on short notice to create lasting memories.
Transportation Breakdown for Thanksgiving Travelers
Automobile Travel
At least 73 million individuals are projected to travel by car, accounting for nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travelers and representing an increase of 1.3 million motorists from last year. This figure might escalate if air travelers opt for road travel due to recent flight cancellations. For those renting vehicles, AAA’s car rental partner, Hertz, notes that Wednesday is predicted to be the busiest day for rentals, with high demand in markets such as Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Newark. Data from AAA shows that domestic car rental costs have decreased by 15% in comparison to the previous Thanksgiving.
Gas Prices
Regarding fuel, drivers are paying near last year’s price, with the national average for regular gasoline at $3.06 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day. AAA advises drivers to refuel the day before travel, in addition to checking battery health and tire pressure. Last Thanksgiving, there were nearly 600,000 emergency roadside assistance calls, mainly for issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty tanks.
Travel Safety
As travelers take to the roads, AAA and MADD emphasize the risks of impaired driving, which often rises during this season. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that from 2019 to 2023, 868 people died in drunk-driving-related accidents during Thanksgiving, constituting 35% of all traffic fatalities during the holiday. Travelers are urged to plan for safe transport options such as ridesharing, sober designated drivers, or public transit to enhance safety for all road users.
Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period
The Thanksgiving holiday travel window has been codified as a seven-day period from November 25 to December 1, a standard set from 2024 forwards, with historical data recalculated to align with this timeframe.
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